The UK’s largest landlord has appointed a new senior director to oversee the growth and development of pub businesses in South Wales, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
Jonathan Thomas joins leased and tenanted pubco Punch Taverns as regional operations director.
He will control around 540 pubs throughout the region, plus a recently expanded team of 18 operational support staff.
Jonathan, from Newport, moved to Punch after 14 years with international brewing giant Coors, where he worked as a regional sales manager, national account manager and headed up the company’s Cardiff call centre.
He has also held positions with Courage brewery and ran his own freehold pub in Aberystwyth.
Jonathan said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to gain experience of the leased and tenanted pub retailing sector with a company that’s clearly leading the way.
“Punch has demonstrated its commitment to growth and expansion, not least through the recent deal to acquire the Spirit Group.
“It also offers licensees extensive support for business development, including training, financial planning, marketing and promotional activity – something I firmly intend to build on in my new role.”
Punch Taverns offers would-be licensees the chance to run their own business through a leasehold agreement on one of its pubs. The portfolio includes everything from thriving city centre bars and restaurants, to idyllic rural retreats and community locals.
Jonathan said: “We’re looking for entrepreneurial thinkers who can realise their business potential through our public houses.
“It’s my role to coordinate the regional teams responsible for recruiting licensees, investing funds back into existing pubs through refurbishment schemes and acquiring new freehold pubs to strengthen our estate. And I can’t wait to get started.”
Jonathan is married with two children and enjoys rugby, football and golf.
Burton (Staffordshire) based Punch Taverns owns more than 9,600 leased, tenanted and managed pubs across the UK.
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For further information please contact Nick Trueman or Jo Mathers at Seal Communications on 0121 200 0780